Federal Government, Bell to Bring Faster Internet to Rural Newfoundland and Labrador

The Government of Canada has today announced over $379,000 in funding through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) to bring high-speed Internet to rural residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, with an additional investment of over $1 million from Bell Canada.

This project will help connect 1,184 underserved households to high-speed Internet in the communities of Goose Cove, Great Brehat, St. Anthony, St. Anthony Bight and St. Carols.

“This important high-speed Internet investment of over $379,000 is incredibly welcomed and will positively impact rural residents of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Parliamentary Secretary Gudie Hutchings.

“I am looking forward to future collaborations with municipalities, Indigenous communities, organizations and local service providers to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador communities have access to affordable and accessible broadband.”

“Broadband connections will be key to the recovery from COVID-19 and to Newfoundland and Labrador’s ongoing economic growth and prosperity.

We’re proud to invest $1.26 million in this latest partnership with the Government of Canada, and we look forward to serving the residents of Goose Cove, Great Brehat, St. Anthony, St. Anthony Bight and St. Carols with Fibe Internet later this year.”

– Glen LeBlanc, Chief Financial Officer Bell Canada

Canada’s Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to internet speeds of at least 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload.

Some rural Canadians have been fed up waiting for faster connectivity, and instead have signed up for SpaceX’s Starlink satellite, currently in beta. Anyone can sign up on a first-come, first-serve basis for Starlink here.